After completing my first overland trip to Morocco last year I've caught the bug and am already planning the next... this time to Central America.

The plan is to fly into LA, buy 3 Honda XRs, a dirt-cheap truck and slog our way down to Panama. So here are my questions.

1) XR400, XR650R or XR650L… opinions, strengths and weaknesses? I’ve heard the 400 is the best on the dirt but guzzles 36MPG (US) and only has a top speed of 75MPH. The XR650R is supposed to be fast but expensive and heavy. Finally, the XR650L is ready for the road right out of the box, but compromises on both street and trail handling to do so. Our goal is to ride 75% on dirt. I am 5’9" and only 135lbs, so I’m leaning towards the XR400 even though I took a 1986 Tenere 600 to Moroc. Most of our gear will go in the truck. The other guys average about 165lbs at 6’1". Suggestions… comments?

2) The idea behind the truck is to rotate chauffeuring the gear and possibly a photographer. The driver will tie his bike down in the bed and take the paved roads to a predetermined rendezvous spot to meet the other bikers. Although it will never be as fun as the trails, listening to a CD and relaxing in a cushy seat every third day doesn’t sound too bad to me. In order to get through some of boring stretches of Mexico quicker we may all pile in the truck, load the bikes in the back and spend a big day on the highways. Any idea how many XRs can fit in a truck bed? Recommendations on a rock solid, easily repairable truck? Has anyone ever purchased a vehicle and donated it at the end of the trip to avoid huge import fees? We’d love to ditch the truck in Panama and catch a boat back to Florida with the bikes, but don’t want to spend too much cash to do so. If we buy the truck for next to nothing in LA, would the duties be minimal if we sold it in central America? Would a car/trailer combination be better? Is there a particular country that is easier to sell vehicles in than others? Ideas, comments, suggestions?

3) I am working to turn our trip into a travel documentary, the spin being "sites only accessible by dirt bike". Besides the Darien Gap, any suggestions of truly isolated and remote spots to visit in Central America that aren’t in the guidebooks. Remote Mayan ruins, isolated jungle towns secluded tropical beaches… this is what I’m looking for. Ideas…

Happy Trails,

Bill

if at all possible the xr650r is the way to go. more power, better suspension. there is a reason honda wins all the baja races on this bike. not to say that the xr400 isn't a decent, reliable steed. it just lacks the ommph that the 650 has. getting 4 bikes in the back of a truck (especially big xr's) and all your gear and 4 guys comfortably into a truck (assuming an 8 foot box and ext. cab) hmmm...it is hard, but possible to get 3 moto bikes in the back of a mini truck. thats what i know. 4 bikes in a truck? i don't know if its possible, maybe, but gear too? best of luck.

when are you plannning the trip? a friend and i are planning one to belize with xr650rs this next winter.

south of mpls 1 hr,

luke

Hi there,
I hope I am not to late for my suggestion. What truck do you want to sale?. To leave a vehicle in Belize, itis not so easy. Someone has to pay the customs, which can be up to 80!! percent. With a bike it is easier: cost only about 20 % customs.
I would be very very very interested in a XR 600 L to buy in a good condition (up to 4500 U$). I am living in the western part of Belize, close to St. Ignacio (called Cayo)in the Mountain pine ridge. A place still undiscovered by bike riders. Get in touch, I can give you a lot of details.

So long. Hope da hear from you soon

Bikertom

Thanks Luke and Tom!

Your thoughts are helpful. Pending a test ride, I've pretty much decided to take an XR650R into central America in the fall of 2004... especially since I plan to turn the bike into a super-moto when I return back to the states.

Glad to hear 3 XRs can squeeze into the back of a mini-truck. It sounds like one guy might just have to ride slipstream during the highway stretched while the others pack in the truck.

Luke, good luck on your trip this winter. I'd love to hear about it when you get back. I'll be visiting MN this August... maybe we can meet up?

Tom, if I buy an extremely beat up truck ($1000), how much customs tax will I have to pay to sell in Belize? Is there a way we can just leave it? Is the vehicle information stamped in our passports? I don't plan to sell my bike in Belize, but one of my riding partners may be interested. I'm sure I'll have more questions for you soon.

Thanks again.

Happy Trails,

Bill

Hi Bill,

don`t worry about the ****ed up truck. If you want, you can get rid of any vehicle here as there are many crab yards (I mean real car crab!). If it is still running, you might get your 1000 $ back, depending on your luck.
Tom, if I buy an extremely beat up truck ($1000), how much customs tax will I have to pay to sell in Belize? You usually pay more duty for a more than 4 cylinders truck or car. The customs can go up to 80 percent!
I just try to get a xr650l in. My customs are about 30 %.
Just get in and have a reg. plate on it. Evereything else is quite easy. Usually you don`t get a stamp in your passport if you enter with a vehicle. But it can be different if you have bikes on your load. Therefore I don`t know.
I know a lot of guys who want also bikes as there are no bikes over 175 cc in the dirt section available here.
Got a question, just ask
Maybe we see in 2004
Bikertom


[This message has been edited by Grant Johnson (edited 12 January 2004).]

It's a very late response but I hope it is useful for somebody. You would probably need to make an 8 foot x 8 foot deck to put on the top of your trucks box. 8 feet is the max legal width so don't go over it. I wouldn't have any of the bikes tires past the edge of the truck box either, must mind stability with a heavy load. This is how we move 2 snowmobiles on a single truck in Canada. Then you can keep all of your gear and ramp under the deck. I can't see you doing it otherwise unless you put all of your gear on the roof of the truck or in a trunk hanging off the front or rear of the truck. Then you've spent too much money.

Also, I haven't ditched a vehicle in another country but as said above it should be possible if you can find a junk yard to give you a reciept for a destroyed vehicle. If you offer to sell it for half cost of that countries market value you may do well. My friend brings 2 trucks to Mexico from Canada every summer. No insurance or legal license plates either, just one towing the other. Drive safe.

Steve

Cheers, Steve

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